Ski touring

There are plenty of good ski touring spots around La Meije. You can ski tour above and behind Chazelet, on the scenic Emparis Plateau, in the Ecrins National Park, at the Lautaret and Galibier mountain passes or on the glaciers of the Meije Massif.

La Grave, a ski touring destination

Around La Grave, there are numerous ski touring routes at all levels : Open snow fields and panoramic ridges in the south facing slopes of the valley that are perfect for beginners and intermediates, plenty of routes for experienced ski tourers as well as ski mountaineering routes for expert backcountry skiers.

Starting from the top station of the La Grave cable car : Routes on the Girose Glacier, towards the Dôme de la Lauze and Selle Valley, descents towards La Bérarde or Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans, the short version of the Tour of la Meije, the Enfetchores.
Starting from the Chazelet Ski Area : The Emparis Plateau, the Gros Têt, the Buffe Valley, the Mas de la Grave Peak, the Signal de la Grave.
Starting from the hamlets of La Grave : The Signal de La Grave and the Goléon Valley.
Starting from the Col du Lautaret : The Combeynot, the Col des Clochettes, the Col du Laurichard, the Col de Côte Plaine.
Starting from Villar d’Arène : all routes in the Ecrins National Park, the Chamossière and Alpe de Villar Mountain Huts, the Col d’Arsine, Adèle Planchard, the Col des Clots de Cavale.

Preparing your ski tour

Winter touring is not risk free. You must take into account the weather and the avalanche risk and choose a route that suits your skill level, your physical condition, your knowledge of the mountains as well as the snow conditions. Do not hesitate to explore with a mountain guide or a ski instructor.

What equipment do you need on a ski tour ? How do you prepare your ski tour ? Here you will find the advice of the mountain professionals of the Hautes Vallées - La Grave, la Clarée and l’Izoard.

The pros' advice

Ski touring or split board touring with a guide or a ski instructor

Ski touring demands a good understanding of the winter mountains, the capacity to estimate risks related to the terrain and to identify avalanche risk zones. If you have little or no experience when it comes to navigating the winter mountain environment, it is highly recommended to go ski touring with a mountain professional. Mountain guides and ski instructors can guide you on your ski tour. You can join a public group or hire a guide or ski instructor for a private group. Both the mountain guides and the ski instructors organise outings at all levels, from beginner to expert. You can go on a half-day introduction tour, on a day tour on skis or on a splitboard, or you can go on a multiday trek on some of the most beautiful routes of the Ecrins, Oisans and Hautes-Alpes. The mountain guides of La Grave also organise outings where you will learn how to prepare your ski tour, how choose a good route and how to use the security equipment. You can also practise avalanche rescue with the ski patrol at the La Grave cable car or follow an avalanche course with mountain professionals.

9 fiches